Ducati Desmo Welcome for New CEO Claudio Domenicali

The entire Ducati staff at the Borgo Panigale facilities gave the Italian motorcycle manufacturer’s new Chief Executive Officer a “Ducati Desmo Welcome” last week.

Below the 47-year-old Claudio Domenicali’s office window, the staffers organized a special display – a Desmosedici MotoGP race bike (Nicky Hayden) leading a chorus of the latest Ducati motorcycles, including the 1199 Panigale, Multistrada and Diavel.

As the staffers revved up each bike, the “Desmo fanfare” brought Domenicali to his window. The display was to welcome Domenicali to the new challenges as CEO at Ducati.

Speaking later of his new position as CEO, Domenicali says: “My new challenge could not be off to a better start. It is a challenge that I face with pride, passion and extreme gratitude and I will do everything possible to repay the confidence that has been shown in me by giving my own contribution to the further growth of this extraordinary brand.”

Two weeks ago, Ducati reported that Gabriele Del Torchio was leaving his role as CEO. Del Torchio, who is taking the role as CEO of the troubled Italian airline Alitalia, had an emotional farewell from Ducati last week.

Domenicali joined the Ducati team in 1991 as project leader, eventually climbing in 1999 to Managing Director of Ducati Corse. Domenicali, who studied mechanical engineering at Università degli Studi di Bologna, then took over the role as R&D Director in 2005.

He kept that position until 2009, when he was appointed General Manager Operations and Product Development. In 2012, he was confirmed as a member of the newly formed Board of Directors after the sale of Ducati Motor Holding to AUDI AG.